Beyond Traditional Vocabulary Learning: The Effectiveness of Gamified Audiobooks for Junior High School EFL Students
Keywords:
Audiobooks; Effectiveness; Game; Vocabulary; Wordwall.
Abstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of using audiobooks combined with game to improve English vocabulary mastery in junior high school students. A one-group pre-test and post-test pre-experimental design was employed. The research involved 30 eighth-grade students from an Islamic junior high school in Indonesia. Before the intervention, a pre-test was administered, revealing a low initial vocabulary mastery with an average score of 12.50. The treatment involved six sessions of vocabulary learning using audiobooks and interactive Wordwall games. The vocabulary taught during the treatment included nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections. Following the treatment, a post-test was conducted, and the average score significantly increased to 16.87. The Wilcoxon ranks test showed a statistically significant effect (Sig. 0.000 < 0.05), indicating that the null hypothesis was rejected and the alternative hypothesis was accepted. The results demonstrate that the combined use of audiobooks and game is a useful and effective medium for enhancing students' English vocabulary mastery. This method provides an interactive and engaging learning experience, improving student confidence and comprehension. This research contributes to the development of technology-based learning methods for foreign language education
References
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Rahmah, N., Tahir, M., & Talib, A. (2023). The Effect of Vocabulary Mastery on Students’ Reading Comprehension. International Journal of Business, English, and Communication (IJoBEC), 1(1), 36–44.
Rahmawati, L., Anggrawan, A., Hastuti, H., Aprianto, D., & Alfilail, N. (2025). Penggunaan Aplikasi Duolingo dalam Meningkatkan Kosakata Bahasa Inggris Pada Siswa Di Sekolah. ADMA : Jurnal Pengabdian Dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 5(2), 529–538. https://doi.org/10.30812/adma.v5i2.4623
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Rizal, D., Masruroh, S., Syah, R. F. R., Fathina, I. F., Amrullah, M. F., & Zakariyah, S. (2022). Audiobooks As Media To Increase Listening And Speaking Skills: A Qualitative Systematic Review. ETERNAL (English, Teaching, Learning, and Research Journal), 8(1), 200–216. https://doi.org/10.24252/eternal.v81.2022.a14
Rizkia, A., Hidayatullah, M. F., & Raju, S. (2024). The use of audiobooks as an alternative language learning in elementary school. Hipkin Journal of Educational Research, 1(1), 101–112. http://ejournal-hipkin.or.id/index.php/hipkin-jer/HJER
Ryan, T., Islam, M. H., Ferdiyanto, F., Islam, U., & Genggong, Z. H. (2024). Analysis of Students Difficulties in Mastering English Vocabulary at Elementary School Students. International Journal of English Education and Linguistics, 06(01), 43–49.
Sadewi, N. K. A. D., Mahardika, I. G. N. A. W., & Mahendra, M. W. (2024). Challenges Faced by English Education Students in Mastering Vocabulary Through Online Learning Systems. Journal of English Education Program, 5(2), 144–154. https://doi.org/10.26418/jeep.v5i2.69604
Salim, M. A., Sektiarti, R., Luthfi, N., Herianingtyas, R., & Ridwanuddin, D. (2024). Upaya Meningkatkan Penguasaan Kosakata (Vocabulary) dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris melalui Metode Running Dictation Game Kelas IV. Kalam Cendikia: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 12(3).
Sari, A. D. I. S., Herman, T., Sopandi, W., & Jupri, A. (2023). A Systematic Literature Review (SLR): Implementasi Audiobook pada Pembelajaran di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Elementaria Edukasia, 6(2), 661–667. https://doi.org/10.31949/jee.v6i2.5238
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Sugiyono. (2013). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif Kualitatif Dan R&D. ALFABETA, CV.
Sugiyono, Suhendra, & Rizqiana, I. (2024). The Effect of Using Word Wall Media on The Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. Tulip (Educational Scientific Writing) Journal Faculty Of Teaching Training And Education, 14(2), 71–77.
Susanto, H. (2021). An Analysis About Students’ Troubles In Acquisition English Vocabulary. Journey Journey (Journal of English Language and Pedagogy), 4(2), 46–50. http://ejurnal.budiutomomalang.ac.id/index.php/journey
Widodo, S., Ladyani, F., Asrianto, L. O., Rusdi, Khairunnisa, Lestari, S. M. P., Wijayanti, D. R., Devriany, A., Hidayat, A., Dalfian, Nurcahyati, S., Sjahriani, T., Armi, Widya, N., & Rogayah. (2023). Buku Ajar Metode Penelitian. CV Science Techno Direct.
Winarti, S. (2023). Penguasaan Kosakata Bahasa Indonesia Siswa SD Ditinjau dari Aspek Kelas Kata: Studi Kasus pada Tiga Sekolah Dasar di Kota Ternate, Provinsi Maluku Utara. Tematik: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Dasar, 2(1), 6–16. https://doi.org/10.57251/tem.v2i1.890
Alfiah, R., Santosa, M. H., & Kusuma, P. I. (2024). Exploring Students’ Engagement in Learning English Vocabulary through Wordwall Media for Secondary Level. Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia, 5(7), 357–363. https://doi.org/10.59141/japendi.v5i7.3107
Amelia, R., Zubaedah, S. N., Edlyka, K., Azilah, S., & Azkiyah, S. N. (2023). The Effect of Junior High School Vocabulary Mastery Using Word Wall Web. Eukatif : Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 5(6), 2668–2679. https://doi.org/10.31004/edukatif.v5i6.5971
Capaian Pembelajaran Mata Pelajaran Bahasa Inggris Fase A-Fase F. (2022). Badan Standar, Kurikulum, Dan Asesmen Pendidikan Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, Dan Teknologi Repubik Indonesia, 1–23.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (D. C. Felts & A. Marks, Eds.; 5th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Creswell, J. w., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (Sixth Edition). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Damra, H. M., Abu-Helu, S. Y., & Al Masadeh, A. (2025). The Influence of Audiobooks on the Development of English as a Foreign Language Learners’ Reading Fluency in Jordan. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 15(3), 786–796. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1503.13
Daud, J. A., Talib, R. R., & Malabar, F. (2025). The Use of Semantic Mapping Strategy to Enhance EFL Students’ Vocabulary Mastery at The Seventh Grade of SMP Negeri 1 Tapa. Research Review Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 4(1).
Faizah, N., & Gumiandari, S. (2021). Efektivitas Media Audio dan Visual Terhadap Pembelajaran Kosakata Bahasa Inggris Tingkat SD. Eduscience: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 6(2), 55–60.
Fauziningrum, E., Sari, M. N., Rahmani, S. F., Riztya, R., Syafruni, & Purba, P. M. (2023). Strategies Used by English Teachers in Teaching Vocabulary. Journal on Education, 06(01), 674–679. http://jonedu.org/index.php/joe
Gela, F. A., Ramli, & Eppendi, J. (2023). Fostering Vocabulary Mastery Through an Audio Textbook. Borneo Journal of English Language Education, 5(2), 16–23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383038300
Hafiza, A. F., & Pratolo, B. W. (2024). A systematic review of the effectiveness of game-based learning in English language teaching. International Journal of Education and Learning, 6(2), 56–64. https://doi.org/10.31763/ijele.v6i2.1312
Hatch, E., & Brown, C. (2001). Vocabulary, Semantics and Language Education. Cambridge University Press.
Hidayah, N., Sabarun, S., & Widiastuty, H. (2023). The Implementation Of Game Based Learning (Gbl) Method To Improve Efl Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. Edusaintek: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sains Dan Teknologi, 11(2), 557–569. https://doi.org/10.47668/edusaintek.v11i2.1078
Hidayah, N., Sabarun, & Widiastuty, H. (2024). The Implementation of Game Based Learning (GBL) Method to Improve EFL Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. Edusaintek: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sains Dan Teknologi, 11(2), 557–569. https://doi.org/10.47668/edusaintek.v11i2.1078
Huang, A. (2023). The Effect of Digital Game-Based Learning on Motivation for EFL. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences EMSS, 23.
Nafisah, S., & Budiarso, I. (2022). Pembuatan Audio Book Sebagai Implementasi Project-Based Learning Dalam Pembelajaran English Phonology. SINASTRA, 61–71. https://kedaireka.id.
Nga, B. T. (2023). A Study on Effectiveness of Using Games in Learning English Vocabulary. South Asian Research Journal of Arts, Language and Literature, 5(03), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.36346/sarjall.2023.v05i03.001
Noviyanti, A. W., Susilawati, E., & Riyanti, D. (2023). Students’ Learning Strategies Of English Vocabulary. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran Khatulistiwa, 12(1), 239–250. https://doi.org/10.26418/jppk.v12i1.61834
Nurrahman, K. M. R., Rositasari, T., Larasati, F., & Yuliani, S. (2023). The Effectiveness of Using Audio Book in Teaching Listening Skill of Eighth Grade Student. English Community Journal, 7(2), 132–137. http://jurnal.um-palembang.ac.id/index.php/englishcommunity/index
Rahmah, N., Tahir, M., & Talib, A. (2023). The Effect of Vocabulary Mastery on Students’ Reading Comprehension. International Journal of Business, English, and Communication (IJoBEC), 1(1), 36–44.
Rahmawati, L., Anggrawan, A., Hastuti, H., Aprianto, D., & Alfilail, N. (2025). Penggunaan Aplikasi Duolingo dalam Meningkatkan Kosakata Bahasa Inggris Pada Siswa Di Sekolah. ADMA : Jurnal Pengabdian Dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 5(2), 529–538. https://doi.org/10.30812/adma.v5i2.4623
Ramadhani, A. A. H. S., Hamid, R. J., & Fansury, A. H. (2022). English Wise Quotes As Media For Students’ Vocabulary Mastery At Smp Negeri 35 Makassar. Journal of English Language Education, 7(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.52208/aellj.v7i1.161
Rizal, D., Masruroh, S., Syah, R. F. R., Fathina, I. F., Amrullah, M. F., & Zakariyah, S. (2022). Audiobooks As Media To Increase Listening And Speaking Skills: A Qualitative Systematic Review. ETERNAL (English, Teaching, Learning, and Research Journal), 8(1), 200–216. https://doi.org/10.24252/eternal.v81.2022.a14
Rizkia, A., Hidayatullah, M. F., & Raju, S. (2024). The use of audiobooks as an alternative language learning in elementary school. Hipkin Journal of Educational Research, 1(1), 101–112. http://ejournal-hipkin.or.id/index.php/hipkin-jer/HJER
Ryan, T., Islam, M. H., Ferdiyanto, F., Islam, U., & Genggong, Z. H. (2024). Analysis of Students Difficulties in Mastering English Vocabulary at Elementary School Students. International Journal of English Education and Linguistics, 06(01), 43–49.
Sadewi, N. K. A. D., Mahardika, I. G. N. A. W., & Mahendra, M. W. (2024). Challenges Faced by English Education Students in Mastering Vocabulary Through Online Learning Systems. Journal of English Education Program, 5(2), 144–154. https://doi.org/10.26418/jeep.v5i2.69604
Salim, M. A., Sektiarti, R., Luthfi, N., Herianingtyas, R., & Ridwanuddin, D. (2024). Upaya Meningkatkan Penguasaan Kosakata (Vocabulary) dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris melalui Metode Running Dictation Game Kelas IV. Kalam Cendikia: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 12(3).
Sari, A. D. I. S., Herman, T., Sopandi, W., & Jupri, A. (2023). A Systematic Literature Review (SLR): Implementasi Audiobook pada Pembelajaran di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Elementaria Edukasia, 6(2), 661–667. https://doi.org/10.31949/jee.v6i2.5238
Setiawan, M. R., & Wiedarti, P. (2020). The effectiveness of quizlet application towards students’ motivation in learning vocabulary. Studies in English Language and Education, 7(1), 83–95. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v7i1.15359
Soesana, A., Subakti, H., Karwanto, Fitri, A., Kuswandi, S., Sastri, L., Falani, I., Aswan, N., Hasibuan, F. A., & Lestari, H. (2023). Metodologi Penelitian Kuantitatif (A. Karim, Ed.). Yayasan Kita Menulis.
Sugiyono. (2013). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif Kualitatif Dan R&D. ALFABETA, CV.
Sugiyono, Suhendra, & Rizqiana, I. (2024). The Effect of Using Word Wall Media on The Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. Tulip (Educational Scientific Writing) Journal Faculty Of Teaching Training And Education, 14(2), 71–77.
Susanto, H. (2021). An Analysis About Students’ Troubles In Acquisition English Vocabulary. Journey Journey (Journal of English Language and Pedagogy), 4(2), 46–50. http://ejurnal.budiutomomalang.ac.id/index.php/journey
Widodo, S., Ladyani, F., Asrianto, L. O., Rusdi, Khairunnisa, Lestari, S. M. P., Wijayanti, D. R., Devriany, A., Hidayat, A., Dalfian, Nurcahyati, S., Sjahriani, T., Armi, Widya, N., & Rogayah. (2023). Buku Ajar Metode Penelitian. CV Science Techno Direct.
Winarti, S. (2023). Penguasaan Kosakata Bahasa Indonesia Siswa SD Ditinjau dari Aspek Kelas Kata: Studi Kasus pada Tiga Sekolah Dasar di Kota Ternate, Provinsi Maluku Utara. Tematik: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Dasar, 2(1), 6–16. https://doi.org/10.57251/tem.v2i1.890
Published
2026-08-17
How to Cite
Yesi, Y., Indriyanti Nurpratiwi, F., & Tadzki Humairoh, G. (2026). Beyond Traditional Vocabulary Learning: The Effectiveness of Gamified Audiobooks for Junior High School EFL Students. International Journal of Education, Vocational and Social Science , 5(03), 7716-7736. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijevss.v5i03.5946
Contact Person +6282139474255
Email : ijevss@citakonsultindo.or.id / editor.ijevss@gmail.com
